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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
372 of 381 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful film,
By
This review is from: Brother Sun Sister Moon [VHS] (VHS Tape)
I am a member of the Franciscan Third Order and fell in love with this movie back when I was only 13. (I'm now 34) This movie is definitely a product of the 60's - but the message is timeless. I feel badly that the review by Amazon was so discouraging. I would not want anyone to read that and make a judgement. The movie represents, in my opinion, the true beauty of the Franciscan charism. The joy, simplicity and love that our Saint Francis embodied. I felt that Mr. Faulkner was an EXCELLENT choice for the lead role - he couldn't have been any closer to what I imagine Francis being. The director, Franco Zeffirelli, has done notable films ("Endless Love" NOT among his best). If you are a fan of the famous "Jesus of Nazareth", then I would suggest viewing this. In any case, this is a wonderful little film to get you acquainted with this timeless saint. One bit of trivia - Sir Alec Guinness wanted to play the part of the Pope - as he had just converted to Catholicism not long before the making of this film. :-) Hope this rudimentary review helped!
242 of 246 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Light for the World, the Spirit and the Heart,
By Daniel Y. Graybeal (Newark, Delaware USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Brother Sun Sister Moon [VHS] (VHS Tape)
After two weeks and four viewings of this simple but surprisingly rich and powerfully moving film about the early life of St. Francis of Assisi, its stirring music lingers in my ears, its hopeful message still aflame within my heart.How does one rate movies? I choose five main categories: the filming, characters, musical score, development, and theme. All elements are related, so I conclude with overall remarks. I see this film as primarily a religious one, with heavy emphasis upon personal development. Thus, I was pleased to see effective focus of the camera upon the facial expressions of the characters. For example, the eyes of Alec Guinness's Pope Innocent III clearly show me his great warmth and concern for young Francis as he asks the Holy See for his advice. Francis's eyes likewise convey his deep humility and sincerity. Pietro, ripping his bread from his jaws as he eats, reveals his fury raging uncontrollably. The filming also glorifies the fabulous scenery of Italy and the majestic colors of spring. As for characters, the main question I always have is, are they believable? Can we identify with them? Even with Faulkner's Francis, to a certain extent (he was a saint, after all), I say yes. That he seems to have been "bought out" by Paulo at the papal court shows his human nature. Giocondo's reluctantly joining Francis and Bernardo, perhaps weighing contingencies, is not unlike what I might have done in his shoes. The music? It was 1972, so Donovan was a good choice, but his score fitted well with one of Francis's life themes: simplicity. Francis's real-life musicians would likewise have sounded imperfect, which made the film more real for me. The instrumental music is breathtaking, sweet and stirring to the bone marrow. The hymns are simple and joyful enough to have established themselves in my ears even above the music of the Christmas season. While organ music didn't exist in 1206 A.D., it might have been added to reach a modern audience that might be alienated to Gregorian chanting. Historical realism is not the film's main goal, although the effects were well enough done to have earned it an Academy Award nomination. Do the characters and plot develop enough to keep interest? In many of the characters I see the step-like change associated with the impact of profound religious influence. Francis, from pampered cloth-trade heir to tattered, mendicent friar is most striking. Powerful is his change of heart, from frivolous and selfish to pointedly purposeful and sacrificial lover of humanity and, indeed, all life. Bernardo, ever loyal, comes to realize what this loyalty must mean after his return from war. The bishop moves as a chess piece: forward in being humbled by Francis's example, backward in yielding to the powers of state. Most importantly, I think, is the theme for this film. Although its messages are primarily religious, I feel it still reaches out to all audiences. The quest for purpose in life is inherently a religious quest. Francis seems to have made Jesus more accessible to tens of generations of Christians, even more so with this touching film. The compassionate and activist spirit in which he imitated the gospels has encouraged me to dig deeper to find Christ's meanings as he did. Overall, this is a beautiful movie, one I would see a hundred times. I chant its hymns with exuberance. I am propelled by the flame it rekindled in my bosom to live more like Jesus, less afraid to reach out to people. I felt ten years younger watching Francis's reckless abandon. Yes, reviews are polarized between Sappy Movie Award to Best I've Seen Award, perhaps as much so as the generation who saw it first in the 1970s. A sensitive hero Faulkner's Francis is, but one with an iron rod of dedication. Most negative reviews focus on the film's technical aspects, while the positive reviews expound on the effect it has had on the viewer's heart and life's renewed sense of purpose and vigor.
69 of 72 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A truly inspiring and enlightening cinema masterpiece,
By A Customer
This review is from: Brother Sun Sister Moon [VHS] (VHS Tape)
How refreshing it is to see Brother Sun, Sister Moon once again, twenty-six years since the film's original release! In our world of today, when it seems that the only fare available on the big screen contains an overabundance of violence, brashness and materialism; it is still a joy to behold this bright, outstanding and enlightening montage of Franco Zeffirelli's homage to St. Francis of Assisi, even though only on video. With beautiful, colorful cinematography of actual locations; augmented by fine performances and a skillful scenario which is enhanced by Donovan's music of the kinder and gentler times of the Flower Child/Hippie era, this production is a wondrous blend which totally works in celebrating the life of a mystical man who worshipped the Creator through nature. Graham Faulkner's portrayal of St. Francis is sensitive and moving; running the gamut from madness to spiritual ecstacy to the realization of the virtues of simplicity. The young actor's sterling performance from 1973 is one which will always be remembered through this film. My only regret about the production is the fact that Donovan's music was never released as an audial soundtrack recording. Certainly, the original music is reminiscent of the Flower Child era; with lyrics that are beautifully melded, in some instances, with actual words of the First Franciscan, but what better music would be so perfectly representative of the Peace and Love which St. Francis practiced? I would certainly like to have a recording of this score to play in my automobile, if only to create a sense of serenity while driving in the rude and mean-spirited traffic of Los Angeles
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